Avant Gardiste in touch, headway to track leaders 3 out, quickened to challenge next, led approaching last and soon clear, easily

Charmahal held up in rear, steady headway to track leaders after 3 out, led approaching next, ridden and headed soon after, stayed on but no chance with winner run-in

Dark Energy in rear, headway from 3 out, stayed on to go 3rd after 3 out but never going pace to reach leading duo

Takotna in touch, headway to track leaders 3 out, ridden approaching next, soon beaten

Thenford Flyer chased leaders, led after 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened

Cellarmaster chased leaders, hampered 4th and lost placed, never dangerous after

Taran Tregarth hampered 4th, always in rear

Constable Burton led until headed and weakened after 3 out

Chilbury Hill hampered 4th, always in rear

Indigo Sky in touch to halfway, soon weakened

Holyfield Warrior in rear when fell 4 out

Barodine in rear when fell 2nd

Schemer Fagan always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out

Pepito Collonges chased leaders to 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out

Rosenblatt always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out

Femme D´Avril in touch when hampered and brought down 4th

Timynomates always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out

Orlyheart chased leaders to 4 out, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out

Master Halling pressed leader until fell 4th

Persistent rain before and during this opener and the jockeys reckoned the going was a mix of good and good to soft but once the ground was opened up conditions could only get more testing as the afternoon progressed. Taking that into account those runners wanting decent going would have been at a severe disadvantage. This handicap hurdle was all about numbers more than anything else as they were a modest lot.

AVANT GARDISTE had been contesting this type of race for most of last season but he managed to come good here. He is obviously nothing special but is the type his very able trainer places well over the summer.

Dark Energy also ran well enough to be considered for a little race in the near future as he was never much nearer than at the finish and fast ground would help in future.

Takotna did best of the others but was beaten a longish way in the end and faster ground looks a necessity for him.

Racing results courtesy of racing post. Please note that ever effort is made to ensure results are correct but I accept no liability for mistakes. The data is provided as a free service.

Please visit my Blog or sign up to my racing forum for the latest news and views.